RNSANE

That will be a well deserved reward for working so hard....you will have earned it, that's for sure.

josan, it's great to see you here with the good folks at cruisecrazies!!!

It's nice to see you in this neck of the woods, ellen...hope you'll join us often and speak right up!

Nice of you to join our superb bunch of folks, andcr!

When I sailed in December, I went to hotwire and they offered a four star property - I looked for a downtown site....I got one listed for $104. It turned out to be the Miami Intercontinental, a mile from the port - the rates the day we checked in were $339! Very luxurious. No shuttle to the port but the cab was under $10. Many times I stay at the Extended Stay - it is not fancy but serviceable - they have just remodeled it, however. The plus to that is that one of my favorite restaurants ANYWHERE in the world is Tutto Pasta, a block down the street. I've written a review about the place on www.yelp.com. which includes photos. I fly in a day early and plan a late flight home to maximize my eating there. Believe me, the food is worth a cab ride, regardless of where you are staying. It isn't far from the port and they have an incredible menu and the desserts, especially the passion fruit mousse are to die for. It isn't open on Sunday, though. The chef/owner, is from Brazil - go figure, an Italian restaurant, but he is fabulous and has become a friend. I have sent so many people there over the years and Captain Hakan from the Brilliance said he will dine there when he overnights in Miami!

It's the story of my life....never in the right place at the right time....and, alas, at 63, I doubt that's going to change!

Jennifer, I don't bend over for pennies anymore....it would have to be a whole roll! Howard, I am not sure I'd go to Atlantic City at all for the casinos ( I prefer Lake Tahoe and the mountains to Vegas, even - or I do enjoy going to Monte Carlo ( the real one ) on the few occasions I've managed to visit there - but your descriptions of the Cape May area and the local area certainly are tempting.

Skipper, I've been to San Juan ( and all over Puerto Rico ) fifty times over the last twenty years...and it comes close to rivaling India ( the worst place I've ever been - Thailand and Taiwan are tame by comparison ) for traffic, crazy drivers, and heart-in-your-throat cab rides. I think their airport and Miami's are a pain in the a@%*...but I don't mind the port at San Juan. Cruises are so great...sometimes the getting on and off needs a little work.

I rarely see any of the shows....usually am the last one to leave the dining room - chatting late with the crew, or joining some of them for a glass of wine. If I know some of the performers, I may try to catch a little of the show. In the old days, when Teri Bryant, one of the old Fifth Dimensions singers used to entertain on the Monarch, I always saw her and met her after in the Champagne Bar for drinks...boy do I miss those lovely champagne bars. If I don't find the shows, comedians, etc, good, I leave. I figure I'll find something entertaining out and about on the ship.

Hi there, littleaus, so happy you found us....we are a great bunch!

Great having you with our rowdy bunch, gominnesotawild!! Watch out for rula - she'll be cheering with you!

Happy to see you've joined us, lyradd - hope we'll see you often.

Hi Adam, I don't know about the dart question....just wanted to say hello. I spent a lovely three days in Montevideo about twelve years ago...what a wonderful time I had. I stayed at a lovely hotel on the main square, visited Punta del Este ( it was actually in the winter so things were pretty deserted ), and added about ten little Rinconada animal figures to my collection at about half of what they cost in the U. S. It was a delightful experience and I hope, so much, to return. I also visited Buenos Aires, spent a night at Iguazu and indulged my love of red wine by overnighting in Mendoza.

That's plenty of time.....so do it TODAY....then come back and tell us about it!!! I had a friend who procastinated until I finally said, "What is someone came along and wanted to whisk you off to Paris tomorrow?" That finally did the trick. Of course, she still hasn't used it a year later....but she's ready at the drop of a hat!!

Thanks so much, Rose...it was great seeing Michael Prasse and Willie Salaya...wish so much I could have been on board with you.

I'm 63-years-old - I was on my mother's passport when I was 3-years-old and we went to Salzburg, Austria after the war with my dad who was an Army Lt....not long after I got my own passport and I've had my own ever since.

Nice to see you here, Oma24boys!!! You'll love this bunch!

Very pleased to see you here, sstevens!!!

It's nice having you join us, griffy....hope you jump right in and become an active member of the group!!!

So far, it hasn't happened. I went on one Alaska cruise with my kidney stones acting up. I had my Vicodin with me - and, when we got an invitation to dine with the captain the next day, I drank gallons of water for the next 24 hours, stayed in the cabin and took Vicodin for the next twelve hours and must have passed it...felt fine by the time the captain's party rolled around. I didn't go to the ship's doctor since I knew what it was and I was afraid they would make me leave the ship.

So nice to live vicariously through those photos....almost ( but not quite ) like being there! You two look wonderful.

What a wonderful surprise that will be....once I did a back to back out of San Juan....didn't tell the crew I was staying on, especially my dear friend from India in the champagne bar. We bade each other farewell about 1AM the night before disembarkation, then I walked into the champagne bar at 5PM after the life boat drill. It was such fun to see his face! My other crew friends were equally delighted. The only person who knew was my cabin steward who kept my bags for me.

No, Joey, she leaves 1/14, comes back 2/15....I'm not sure she's going home to South Africa...kind of a long trip for only a month!

Hi Mary Lou, I still haven't done the Panama Canal...will go on the Monarch if she is taking passengers in October for the CA to FL sailing. I have a wonderful friend from India, Paul Thail, who is the cellar master on the Jewel. I know you'll love the ship as it's one of the Radiance class, my favorite of all the Royal Caribbean classes. Hooray for you!

Yes, it's an addiction and withdrawal is so bad, I cannot go through it. With sixty cruises in less than 13 years, I don't allow myself to suffer very long. However, with this freak accident Friday and having to buy a new car, my sailing days may become less fequent....and the Monarch is heading from CA to FL which is really going to limit my short cruise vacations! Time for my lottery numbers to hit!